Page 31 of Ruckus

“He’s dead.” Wrath confirms, stepping up beside me and folding his arms.

“And that’s why you came back, to make sure?” I frown.

“One of the reasons.” Finn shrugs.

“So where have ya been?” Polly asks, sounding her warm and welcoming self, it’s a stark contrast to the vibe in the room right now.

“Well, after my dad got left bleeding out on the roadside and the cops arrested me, I had the sense to call Jimmer instead of a lawyer,” he explains.

“Finn, before you start assuming, you should know, there ain’t a single brother here that was involved with what happened. Raze has ensured that,” Polly informs him as if she can see where this is heading. “Everyone knows that the run you went on was a set up, and no one here condones it.”

“I know that, Pol,” Finn assures her, his eyes scoping the room just to be sure. “Jimmer knew that me ratting on Cliff put me in danger, so he used his connections and got me out, then he came up with the suicide story so Cliff wouldn’t suspect anything. Solano was crawling with people looking to do Cliff a favor, it was only a matter of time before I got popped off too.”

“Men don’t just disappear, where ya been, Finn?” Wrath asks, still looking on edge.

“Jimmer sent me to work for his brother, small town in Montana. No charters nearby. Disappearing was the easy part, them early mornings and hand blisters took some real gettin’ used to.” He laughs as if all this is some kinda joke.

“Jimmer hasn’t spoken to his brother in decades.” I cross my arms over my chest when I find a flaw in his story.

“No one speaks to Bill Carson anymore. He’s dead.” Finn sniggers, “But Jimmer never lost touch with Mitch Hudson, and it’s Mitch who runs the Carsons’ bunkhouse.”

“So Jimmer put you into his own version of witness protection.” My girl speaks up, glancing across to Eden and no doubt thinking the same as everyone else is. Finn isn’t the first person Jimmer has protected by making them appear to be dead. I’m starting to wonder how many others are gonna rise from the grave.

“Guess you could say that. Jimmer gave me a new life, a new home, friend’s that became family.” He smiles fondly. “Now, he’s given me my father’s legacy too. He wants me to start up a charter in Montana.”

“Course he fuckin’ does.” My dad looks up at the ceiling and shakes his head.

“It was always a part of his and my father’s big plan, and he’s putting his faith in me to see it through. That’s the real reason I’m here.”

I smile at what I’m hearing, because it’s exactly the kinda thing Jimmer would do.

“Jimmer’s nephew, Garrett, runs the Carson Ranch, and Fork River now. I’m loyal to him. I got the same brand that my dad came to the Souls wearing and I’m proud of it.” He pulls down his shirt and shows us all the brand burned onto his chest, I do not like the way my girl’s eyes linger on it.

“I’m young and I know that not many other charters are gonna respect me, I’ve heard rumors that you're different. Jessie tells me you’ve turned this place around and…”

“Hold up, Jessie knows about this?” I check I’m hearing him right.

“Everyone in Colorado knows, and they were sworn to silence by Jimmer until we knew for sure Cliff was no longer a threat,” he informs us and me and Wrath look at each other and shake our heads.

“Now don’t you go judging Jessie.” My dad points his finger at me. “If your founding member swears you to secrecy, you fuckin’ honor it.”

“Jessie’s young, there ain’t a man who don’t take him serious,” I point out.

“Not one who’s fuckin’ breathin’.” My dad’s smug laugh turns into a coughing fit, and when my sister moves over to stroke his back he swats her away.

“I need more than just Jessie’s help, I need alliances within the club and I need guidance. I’m not afraid to stand here and tell you that I’m in over my head, but I won’t fail. I want to make Jimmer and my dad proud,” he assures me, and I show my respect by stepping up and offering my hand.

The door swings open and when Rocco steps inside, his attention is fixed on his phone screen. “I didn’t miss breakfast, did I? You will not believe what I just saw on the strip—” His words tail off when he looks up and sees his dead brother standing at the bar.

“Finn.” His voice is weak as he stares him up and down.

“What the fuck are you doing wearin’ that?” Finn charges at his brother and grabs hold of his prospect cut. “What the hell are you even doing here, you promised Dad you’d nev?—”

“What am I doing here?” The kid shocks us all when he shoves Finn away. “What the fuck are you doing here? I came toyour fuckin’ funeral. I cried at your graveside.” Rocco’s eyes are popping outta his head.

“You made him a fuckin’ prospect?” Finn looks at me as if he’s about to swing and Wrath immediately puts himself between us.

“Hey, you must have been gone too long to remember to show your president some fuckin’ respect.” He slaps his palm over the Long Beach patch that's still sewn onto Davy’s leather cut. “Rocco was already here when Raze took over. It was Cliff who accepted him.”

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